Chord · 1 3 5
Major chord
A major chord stacks a major third with a minor third on top. In C it is C, E and G. Written C.
- Formula
- 1 3 5
- Half steps from root
- 0 · 4 · 7
- Notes
- 3
How it sounds
Bright and settled. In a major key the I, IV and V chords are all major, which is why most pop, rock and country songs lean on them.
What’s inside
- 3: major third above the root
- 5: perfect fifth above the root
On the guitar
C · x32010
Low E string to high E. An × means don’t play that string, an o means play it open.
Major chords in every key
| Chord | Notes | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| C | C · E · G | |
| D♭ | D♭ · F · A♭ | |
| D | D · F♯ · A | |
| E♭ | E♭ · G · B♭ | |
| E | E · G♯ · B | |
| F | F · A · C | |
| F♯ | F♯ · A♯ · C♯ | |
| G | G · B · D | |
| A♭ | A♭ · C · E♭ | |
| A | A · C♯ · E | |
| B♭ | B♭ · D · F | |
| B | B · D♯ · F♯ |
This chord is one of the answers in the game’s “What chord?” round. Major and minor chords are also the chords in “Root, third or fifth?”, and the building blocks of the progressions.